Build curb appeal. Some of the best buyers are the most impatient. They need to make a fast decision. If the view of the house from the street turns them off, you’ve lost them.

Take a critical look at the front of your house. Fix everything that needs it. Don’t let the outside turn buyers off before the inside can turn them on.

Never stay in your house with house hunters. Let the agent handle it. Remove yourself! The agent has worked for many hours with these people and knows what they’re looking for and how to work with them. Let the agent do the job without interference.

Give your dogs and cats a vacation. Bowser and mouser could use a change of scenery. Having pets around when you’re selling your house, especially aggressive dogs, can be incredibly expensive to your net bottom line. Many people are acutely uncomfortable around some animals. They simply can’t think buy when they’re planning bye.

Get out the paint bucket and brushes. You can’t find a better investment when you’re selling your house than a few cans of paint and putty to brighten up the interior.

Drips do worse than run up your water bill. They make potential buyers worry about your home’s plumbing system. Fix problems that can cost you a sale.

Squeaking doors and creaking floors. Ripped screens and cracked glass kill enthusiasm. Home hunters often believe that you’re hiding ten problems for every one they see.

Hide (or neatly arrange) everything that looks like work. Such as lawnmowers, hoses, vacuum cleaners, and everything you use for cleaning. Accent everything that looks like fun. Such as stereos, skis, and toys in the kids’ rooms.

De-clutter. Repack compactly, dispose of unneeded items, or rent storage space and move out as much material as you can. Your storage space will look inadequate if it’s packed to the hilt.

Adjust the temperature. If it’s hot, cool it! If it’s cold, light a crackling, inviting fire.

Harmonize the elements. Play music softly. No TV. All lights on, day or night. Drapes open during day. Create the ambiance that turns prospects into buyers.

Sell pride of ownership through cleanliness. Put sparkle in bathrooms and kitchen.

You may experience some inconvenience while your home is on the market. Due to the tourist nature of our area, most buyer prospects are only in the county for a short time (sometimes just for a day or the weekend). It is important that you make your home available for showing on short notice. Agents from many offices may or may not call before a showing. Please be patient with agents and buyers, and if a showing at the time is impossible, try to work out a more convenient time.

If your home is only occasionally occupied, please leave all main breaker switches on, so agents can show your home with the proper lighting.

Turn off main breaker switches for electric heaters, just as a precaution against children turning a heater on. It could be a costly mistake for you.

Place all small valuables in drawers away from children.

If you happen to be at home during a showing, please step out (and take the dog with you!) for a moment, if at all possible. If an agent has a question, they will find you.

It’s a good idea to replace those items not included in the sale, such as chandeliers, etc. Or you can tag them with labels, either “To be Replaced” or “Not for Sale.” This is an especially good idea if you are selling your home furnished.

If your home is a vacation home, and you allow friends or family to use it, please make them aware that it may be shown during their stay, and that you expect them to cooperate.

Bring any problems to my attention right away, so we can take corrective action. Everything about your home must be disclosed by law. No surprises, please!

Whenever your home is shown, the buyer’s agent will leave a business card behind. After the showing, or when you return home, please call me and let me know who has shown your home. I will then follow up with that agent, and get feedback on the buyer’s comments. This could be valuable information for improving your home for sale.

Our goals should be the same…to sell your home in the least amount of time, for the best possible price. To do this, we need to work together to make your home easily available for showings. I will be in touch with you regarding buyers’ feedback and, and I encourage you to pass along any comments you’ve heard. Your input is important to me.